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Ava Park

Pagan voices is a spotlight on recent quotations from figures within the Pagan community. These voices may appear in the burgeoning Pagan media, or from a mainstream outlet, but all showcase our wisdom, thought processes, and evolution in the public eye. Is there a Pagan voice you’d like to see highlighted? Drop me a line with a link to the story, post, or audio.

Rev. Ava Park (Photo by John Gilhooley, OC Weekly)

“Over the years we have had a bit of controversy over our definition of ‘woman’ and our ‘women only’ policy for many events. The human reality is that there are many more genders than just ‘male’ and ‘female.’ These other genders are not recognized or honored in our society, and this refusal to see reality has caused untold harm to countless numbers. Beginning this year, it is our intention to identify, name, formally recognize and honor these as-yet unacknowledged genders, creating a sacred place for each in our community.Those (of any gender) who are interested in being part of this unfolding and groundbreaking work, please contact us. You will be invited to join a committee, the intent of which will be to guide The Goddess Center’s gender policies for the greatest good for all.” – Rev. Ava Park of the Goddess Temple of Orange County, explaining her temple’s shift on gender, and the adoption of a new name: “The Goddess Center of Southern California.” [Reported by Medusa Coils, one of the best informational blogs on Goddess Spirituality.]

P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

“When the question of “belief” comes up in modern Pagan and polytheist contexts, I get very annoyed that the definition being used comes from the creedal religious majority in the U.S., and not from a more experiential understanding as developed by Weil, Doohan, Krall, and others. When belief is understood in creedal terms within modern polytheism and Paganism, I have to say over and over again, “I don’t believe in Antinous, I know him, and thus there’s no need for belief any longer.” Or, as Joseph Campbell said to Bill Moyers in The Power of Myth interviews, “I don’t have to have faith—I have experience.” But in an experiential understanding of “belief,” built upon an experiential “faith” as advocated by Doohan, I have no end of beliefs in Antinous!” – P. Sufenas Virius Lupus, discussing belief within the context of non-creedal religions, and responding to an essay by John Halstead on the role of faith and creed in modern Paganism. Lupus’ latest book is “All-Soul, All-Body, All-Love, All-Power: A Transmythology.”

Ivo Dominguez Jr.

“Before I share a new piece of magickal technology, I make sure that I have tested it thoroughly. It is too easy to be caught up in the enthusiasm of a new creation and to inflict it upon others. If it is magickally effective, then it has consequences, side effects, and outcomes that may not be apparent immediately. As a part of my ethic of innovation, I test things on myself for months or in some cases years before sharing them. This is not about secrecy, it is about responsibility and accountability. I love to leap into action, and must often remind myself to use the power of silence.” – Ivo Dominguez Jr. on the power of silence, and the importance of testing new magickal technology. You can find out more about Ivo and his projects, here.

T. Thorn Coyle

“Clear direction comes from risking both decisive movement supported by strength, and by opening, relaxing our edges, and listening for what is present and what may come. Irritation may still be there, but it is not the only thing. The closed door has an opening as well. The details are important but they are not the whole story. Something is waiting. Are we ready?” – T. Thorn Coyle on the importance of opening to life. Thorn will be teaching and speaking at Pantheacon in San Jose, and FaerieCon West in Seattle, this February.

Wren Walker (self-portrait)

“This is a time when protection is necessary and diligence is required. If you tune in to the seasonal tides, you may indeed feel vulnerable during this part of the cycle. (See? You weren’t just being paranoid!) Now you can take measures to protect yourself. Fill your string jar. Set some wards. Work protection magic. Hold your loved ones close. Do not be embarrassed to ask for some extra help or reassurance. Watch over little ones. Reach out to those who are ill or frail or alone. Resources can still be a bit scarce before we reach the full lushness of spring or the plenty of the harvest.” – Wren Walker, co-founder of the legendary Witches’ Voice, on being “In the Thicket With Things.”